Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has declared that unauthorized constructions in the Colombo District will not receive approval under any circumstance, warning that such unplanned development has intensified the district’s vulnerability to flooding. She stressed that no project -particularly those disguised as development initiatives -will be permitted if it poses a threat to public safety.
Speaking to the media after the Colombo District Disaster Management Committee meeting held on December 9 at the Colombo District Secretariat, the Prime Minister highlighted that years of ad-hoc construction, regulatory neglect, and politically driven decisions have placed both the district and its residents in a dangerous position.
While recent cyclone-related destruction was far more severe in other districts, she noted that Colombo still faces significant future risks. To address this, relevant state agencies are now working together on targeted interventions to reduce the district’s susceptibility to flooding.
Dr. Amarasuriya emphasized that recurring floods cannot be allowed to become a routine hardship for the people of Colombo. A coordinated district-wide plan for flood prevention is being developed, with implementation measures expected to begin soon.
She further confirmed that discussions are underway to introduce lasting and sustainable solutions for families currently living in high-risk zones across the district.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Minister of Urban Development Eranga Gunasekara, Deputy Minister of Mass Media Kaushalya Ariyaratne, and Colombo District Members of Parliament Aruna Panagoda and Chandana Suriyarachchi.
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